What is a family? A family is
people of unique personalities, the love they have for each other, and the
things they do together.

What sets families apart from each other? One thing is family traditions-
memories laced together with love.

Think back to your childhood. What are your fondest memories? Most likely it is
the time you spent together as a family - whether it be vacations or just doing
things together at home.

It doesn't take money to start family traditions. It just
takes a little planning, the then the discipline to do it each and every year.

By establishing family traditions, you strengthen your family, give it it's own
personality, and give your children not only something to remember, but
activities and traditions to pass on through the generations.

It is as much fun for parents to watch their children experience the
things they enjoyed as a child as for the children to experience them.

If religion is a big part of your life, there are many things that reflect your
faith that you can do together to celebrate Easter.

One the more secular side, there are also many things to do to make Easter a
special time. Here are some ideas.

*Have an Easter Egg Hunt, whether it's with your immediate family or extended
family members. You can also participate in church and community planned
Easter festivities. Children always enjoy these and will look forward to them.

*Make or buy your family new outfits for Easter each year. Girls in
particular will know this is coming, and often spend weeks thinking about what
color dress they want, or other details of this special outfit.

*Have a craft day before Easter with your family. There are new crafts
each year, and while you may not find it exciting, your children will appreciate
the time you spend with them, even if it's only to dye eggs.

*Make special treats that you make only on Easter. Nothing is as
exciting to a child as a sugar cookie cut in a special shape, with frosting and
decorations. You can buy Easter treats, but it is not the same as making
them yourself.

Think about what you feel when you smell pumpkin pie baking in the oven.
It brings back memories. What if all your life you always had a store bought
pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving? The smell would mean nothing to you.

You experience life with all your senses, including smell. When you let
your children help, they also remember the touching. Make as many treats as
possible yourself. Give your children these warm memories.

*Make Easter a sign of spring by bringing in some spring flowers and letting
them see their beauty and smell them. If you don't have tulips growing in
your yard, buy some, and display them. Make Easter a time of rebirth on all
levels.

*Watch a special movie together as a family, or play a special game.

*Each country has different traditions. If you do a search on the
Internet, using the keywords "Easter Traditions", you will find a lot of them.
In your celebrations you might consider learning about other countries, and the
history of Easter.

*Easter is also a good time to take family pictures- especially if you have new
clothes.

Plan ahead and start traditions that will be carried down through generations
Find that which is most appropriate for your family, and make memories that will
last a lifetime. It doesn't take much money- just love, time, and caring.